I have $4k to set up my 7D. I Have a list. Please take a look.

Richard J. Johnson

Joystick Member
Canon 7D
- 2x Canon batteries *Have it
- 2x Generic batteries
- AC adapter
- 3 more 8GB Sandisk Extreme (already have 1)
- Tamron 17-55mm 2.8f VC
-Tokina 11-16
- Canon 50mm 1.8f
- Zoom H4n Audio Recorder
-Teddybear LCD Loupe
- Redrock Captain Stubling.(since I already have most of the parts comes out to $300)
- Manfrotto 503HDV head w/Sanford Sticks *Have it
- Micromount x1 (for mounting the Zoom H4n) *Have it

- ND Fader 72mm (for 17-55mm)
- Manhattan LCD HDMI Monitor * Have it
- 1.5m miniHDMI -> HDMI cable
- Indifocus FF
- ZaZa 36" Slider

I do want a steadicam type of system as well. And I don't have a problem buying used. Just don't know which one.

-Steadicam Merlin Arm and Vest $2400
-Glidecam HD2000 with the Smooth Shooter Arm and Vest $1900
-Indicam system $1950 www.indicam.com

I also have a boompole, shotgun mic, shoulder mount, Lowel Light kit with 6 totas and 2 1K's, a Smith Victor Lighting kit and a few other things.

Some items I may or may not need. most of the list was graciously provided by Hunter007. I was looking into the Zacuto Rapid fire or the Tactical shooter as well but the cost would put a nice dent in the budget. what do you guys think? I'm buying everything in one day. One shot one kill.
 
Last edited:
Great list, but it looks to me like you're cutting corners on glass. I'd consider the Canon 17-55 instead of the Tamron, and a better fast prime than the Canon 1.8. Something like a Canon 50 1.4 or a Sigma 30 1.4. You're also a little limited on the long end--might not be a big deal depending on what you're shooting. The Tokina rocks on the wide side of things, though.
 
Yeah. Glass is wallet killer. The difference in price in the 1.4 and the 1.8 seems to about $200 bucks. So I'm a little torn there for .4 stops. But I'm sure it makes a noticable difference when shooting at night. Haven't priced the canon 17-55 but I bet it's not cheap.
 
Agreed. The Canon 1.4 is a significantly better lens in optics, build quality, and manual focus ease/ability. I'd also get more memory. It's very easy to fill 16 GBs, that's only approx 48mins of 1080p24.

If you wanted to have more lens distance, you could get the Canon 10-22, and then the Sigma 24-70 2.8 for $569 - thats what I did with no regrets.
 
i have a glidecam pro 1000 that i got on ebay for $100 shipped, in mint condition.

No need to spend that much on a 3 lb camera.

jon!
 
The canon is a little pricey for the kit. But the sigma looks very tempting. I had no idea there were big build differences with the 1.8 and 1.4. I'm not good at picking lenses.
 
I looked at that. Do I really need the vest and arm combo then? That's where the money comes in. The sleds are cheap. The arm and vest seems like it would a better route to go for what I do. (Narrative features-mostly violent)But I really don't too much about them.

i have a glidecam pro 1000 that i got on ebay for $100 shipped, in mint condition.

No need to spend that much on a 3 lb camera.

jon!
 
Tamron 17-55mm 2.8f VC
If you're doing any hand held/run&gun I'd stick with this lens strictly because it's the only wide lens with VC (or IS) out there that I know of (and VC makes a HUGE difference in getting rid of the little DSLR shakes and wobbles).

A big difference in steadier footage is a lot more important than a smaller difference in image quality in my opinion.


*Edit* I stand corrected: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-17-55mm-Lens-Cameras/dp/B000EW8074 much more expensive though
 
This is a good list! I'm looking to get much of the same type things as you. I'm also struggling between the Canon 17-55 and the Tamron 17-50. I didn't think of the Tokina 11-16 but that's a good idea.

I have the same Tripod, Indifocus and Monitor. I'd be interested in how you can get some of this for under your budget (4k) unless that doesn't include the camera.
 
2 - 8g cards doesn't seem like enough. Get a few more. Good lenses more than anything. It is just to bad the canon lenses are so high. The zoom is also a good idea.
 
From the posts I have been reading; they do fail from time to time. I have read more stories about CF problems than P2 problems. So I just wanna cover mine just incase by sticking with 8 gigs. Again this I just from what I have read.
 
When I read the reviews on the Tamron 17-55 VC, the non 17-55 2.8 Tamron lens sounds better. Maybe this is more of a issue with people buying it for photography. Check out some of the reviews at B &H Photo.
But getting the 17-55 and the 7D is is only $20 more than getting the 18-135 7D kit. The Tamron 17-50 VC is about $200 more than the kit
After using Nikon 2.8 lenses for a few years it would be tough to go back to slower glass.

I definately need the VC. I do a lot hand held. The canon is a bit much right now.
 
Last edited:
Get a good card and you will probably not have a problem.

Kensington (I think) and the sandisk extreme cards are the only cards I could find with real good reps for the most part. So that's what I'm going with. The sandisks are more expensive though.
 
Back
Top